We have received a photograph from Judith Fuller asking for help to identify a photograph, who is in it , what the bikes are etc . To view the photograph, click on the link below.

If you can help. then please post your answers here on the Bulletin Board.

View the photograph here

We're looking at two 500 MV Agusta fours, Senior TT, 1959.

No 2 is John Hartle's, 4 is John Surtees's.

At that time, 500 plates were red rather than yellow, which is why they look so dark.

Standing facing the camera is Tarquinio Provini, who was riding works MVs in the 125 & 250 Lightweight races.

Back to the camera? Not sure, but it could be Bill Webster.

Just a guess and Bill Snelling will probably shoot me down....MV Agustas, mid /late 60s...could that be Ago in his Sunday suit? Maybe garages at the back of the Douglas Bay? Something odd about the back of the bike, looks like a frame with something attached, maybe going to mount a camera on it?

Think it's Provini facing the camera

I have dug out my 1959 scorecard (official) and, Yes, No.2 is the MV of John Hartle and No.4 is the MV of John Surtees -- Bob McIntyre was No1 that year on a Norton and Bob Brown No.3. Norton

Anderson was 5 (Norton)
Dale was 6 (BMW)
King was 8 Norton (Poor Dave Chadwick was no.7 but he, I believe, died before the TT--

Hailwood was No 16 Norton

The fellow facing is Provini (? Spying) but I have yet to indentify the other person with feeling of accuracy--
I do not think it is BillWebster but I am looking through my pickies

It was taken outside the garages at the Duggie Bay
where we all enjoyed many years drooling over the MVs and other works machines--

Them were the days......................

Unbelievable Larry!
It is John Hartle's helmet on the seat of No.2.
I have a picture of Surtees in the air at Ballaugh on this number 4 machine in 1959. Why was his winning speed only 87.94MPH ? In 1958 it was 98.63 and in 1960 it was 102.44, did it rain? The bike looks quite clean in the picture I have.

Surtees speed was slower because the race was run in apalling conditions on the Sat in fact when interviewed John said i never want to race in conditions like that again.

Ian - Provini wasn't spying - he was in the MV Works team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story is that there were hailstones which removed sections of paint from the MV fairing---

With regard to Tarquinio Provini he did the 125/250 double on, yes, MV Agustas on the Clypse course, leading most of the races..

My comment on "spying" was purely a comment on his success, he having spied on Surtees' techniques of "Double-Winning"

In the 125 cc race a young Mike Hailwood led on lap 7 but then Provini returned to the front and went on to win...

Maybe the other fellow in the picture IS Bill Webster but something is saying to me no--

Has anyone proof that it is Bill (probably)

Ian - I was influenced in my guess by the lack of top and front hair!!!!!!!

The mystery man in the photo is in fact John Foster,you can tell by that 50s suit he still wears!

Well contributors,

I must admit that this was a great topic, I suppose congrats are due to the person who opened this topic. With sensible topics like this the winter will fly by. The clock has gone back and each day the remnant of winter will become shorter.

Who next for an interesting topic, can't think of one immediately.

Again well done all.

Big D.

,the the bikes are early 60s mv agusta 4s the swarthy curly haired man ,the rider is bennidicto calderella,an argentine who gave mike hailwood a hard time if i remember right. he didnt ride mv ,he rode gilera,think im correct .

cheers
brian oneill ttra gpra assoc member

Sorry Brian - a few years too early for Benedicto.

It's 1959.

Tarquinio Provini is the man - see earlier in this thread!

I believe the person nearest the camera is Nello Pagani who I believe had some connections with MV

Don't think so Stephen - Nello, even at that time,was much thinner in the features and, I think, taller.

I still go with Bill Webster!

I reckon the guy stood next to machine number 4 is Sean Collister ;-)

Dont think so Russ, Sean doesn't have a suit. lol

Good heavens you've been searching deep this posting started in Oct 2002 !!!!!

These guys NEVER give up, Gail...never!What a great example they are to us all!